With 'thicker skin' and hard work, Griffins' Logan Pyett making mark in sophomore season

Mark Newman | Grand Rapids GriffinsLogan Pyett is one of two players to appear in every Griffins game this season.GRAND RAPIDS -- Logan Pyett's rookie season with the Grand Rapids Griffins didn't go quite as smoothly as he probably would have liked.

Because he was a frequent healthy scratch, Pyett did not receive consistent ice time, and his offensive numbers -- one of his strengths in junior hockey -- suffered.

That changed this season, though.

He already has surpassed last year's point production -- three goals and 11 assists in 61 games -- with five goals and 12 assists through 40 games. He also joins captain Jamie Tardif as the only members of the Griffins to appear in every game this season.

Pyett's improvement does not surprise Griffins coach Curt Fraser. He said the 21-year-old has been the team's most consistent defenseman this season.

"He learned a lot last year about what it takes to be a pro, and look at the success he's enjoying. He's competing hard. He's leading our defense," Fraser said.

"It's nice to see a kid come in, grow some thicker skin and compete harder and prepare himself better. And now, he's getting rewarded for it on the ice."

Pyett said last season was a learning experience, and he came into training camp this fall in better condition and with more confidence.

"You're playing against a lot better players in this league compared to stepping up from juniors," Pyett said. "After playing against those guys for a year, you just feel a little more comfortable. You realize in the offseason what you have to do to prepare yourself and get stronger."

The coaching staff has rewarded his hard work with more ice time. He has been a regular on the penalty kill and is taking more shifts on the power play.

That is perfect for a player who basically was a point-per-game player during his final two seasons with Regina of the Western Hockey League.

"I am more of an offensive guy. With my size (5-foot-10, 200 pounds), it's tough to be a bruiser back there," Pyett said. "I have to keep the legs going, jumping into plays and help out on offense as much as I can."

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Logan Pyett joined Bret Bakita and Michael Grey on "Bakita and Grey" on Tuesday.

Listen to the interview below:

Pyett knows, however, he still needs to tighten his defensive game if he hopes to play in the NHL one day. He has a solid plus-5 rating this season after finishing last year at minus-1.

"I've still got to work on the defensive side of my game," Pyett said. "Making a crisp first pass, keeping my feet moving at all times, jumping the check a lot quicker, taking away guys' time and space. That's probably the main thing."

That's the kind of attitude Fraser likes.

"The guys who are willing to prepare, build a conditioning base and really be determined to get out on the ice and make a contribution to the team, are enjoying success," Fraser said. "We need that to spread around a little more."

Pyett, though, isn't taking anything for granted.

Recent injuries to fellow blue liners Jakub Kindl and Sergei Kolosov and the recall of Doug Janik may have helped to maintain Pyett's ice time, but he has no interest in resuming his role as a healthy scratch.

"I know that if I don't play well and have a bad game or two, I can be sitting down," Pyett said. "Guys that are getting scratched are ready to go and jump at the opportunity, so the guys in the lineup, like myself, just have to stay on top of it."